Casting apparatus.



B. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION rum) DEO.26,1908.

924 5 Patented June15, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEO.26,1908.

924,858. Patented June 15, 1909.

6 SHEETS-BEBE! 2.

E. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 26,1908.

Patented June15, 1909..

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Hiya/r18 E. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION nunnno.2s,190a.

924,858, Patented June 15,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. B. VAN WAGNER. GASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEO.28,1908.

924,858. Patented June 15,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

ELBERT B. VAN WAGNER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

GASTIN G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1909.

' Application filed December 26, 1908. Serial No. 469,238.

To all whom it may c'neer1l:

Be it known that I, ELBERT B. VAN WAG- NER, citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CastingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements-in casting apparatus, and has forits object the providm of device for making what is 7 common y known asfinished castin s, ,wherein the molten metal is forced into t e molds ordies by fluid pressure, and wherein all of the workin parts of themachine are also operated by Enid pressure, instead of by hand or othermeans.

This invention relates particularly to improvementsin the casting aparatus shown and described in my United States Patents numbered 900,802and 900,803, dated October 13,- 1908.

The invention consists principally of a firebox mounted on a table orstand, in which is sus ended a melting-pot or cylinder,the latter 'eatedby means of gas burners in the ordinary manner,- the melting-pot havinga filling neck, a res'sureinlet, and a discharge spout fordelivering'the molten metal to a mold formed in a die, or in a pair ofdies.

, The invention further consists of a (lie frame,'disposed horizontallyand mounted on the table at an elevation slightly above the fire-box andmelting chamber. The said frame arranged to operatively support thedie-sections and other working parts of the device. invention furtherconsists of a fluid pressitre cylinder supported by the frame, and emloyed for opening and closing the dies, as we 1 as for holding thesectionsof the dies together during the-casting;

The invention furtherjconsistsgofa fluid pressure cylindersupported-bythe istonrod of the die-operating cylinder, w ich is emloyed for operating the gate plunger.

. he invention further consists of a shield for inclosing the dies andother parts of the device, to prevent injury to the o erator' by theescape of molten metal during t e casting periods, and of a fluidpressure cylinder for raising and lowering the shield.

The invention further consists of means operable 1n connection with theshield, for

permitting or preventing the discharge ofmolten netal from themelting-pot.

' The, mvntion further consists of means pot, in which the meta foradmitting fluid pressure to the meltingpot for forcing the molten metalinto the mold to make the casting. And the inventionfurther consists ofa common air or other pressure retainer, mounted on the table, the saidretainer bein fitted with a series of valves and each va ve rovidedwith-a han dle or lever ca able of eing o erated independently ansequentially, or supplying pressure to the several cylinders and also tothe melting-pot, in the order in which the casting o erations-are to -becarried out. W

Other eatures and parts-of the 'invention will be understood from'thedetail description which follows, and by reference to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1is a side elevation of the complete I machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section substantially on theline 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4

is a front end elevation of the complete mathe shield lifted to permitchine, showin Fig. 5 is an enlarged deaccess to the ie.

tail sectionalview on the line 55 of Fig. 1,

showing the construction and arran ement of one of the fluid pressurevalves. ig. 6 isan enlarged detail view of a part of the casting valve.Fig. 7 is a rear end elevation of the machine, showing the shield in itslower V position, as whenthe machine is ready for I casting. Fig. 8 is acrosS-sectionsubstan:

tially on the line 88 of Fig. 2, showing the gating cylinder and themanner of supporting it in working position. Fig. 9 is an enlargeddetail view of the nozzle showing the provision foropening and cleaningthe same.

Similar characters of reference are assigned to corresponding partsthroughout the several views. 1 v

. Inthe drawings, 2 represents a table or stand supported by legs 3, andhaving a :large slotted o ening. 4 extending centrally from the midd eto near the rear end.

5 re resents a fire-box, which is mounted near t 1e front end of thetable, to which it may bev secured in any suitable manner. Thefire-box'has'an opentop, which is closed by a removable cover 6, whichis preferably applied so as. to make a tight closure of the upper sideof'th e box. The cover 6 is secured in place by a series of bolts ,7.The fire-box is preferably lined with asbestos'or some suitablerefractory substance '5.

'9, represents a casting-cylinder or meltingis prepared for cast ing.The melting-pot is" preferably cylindrical in form, except its upperside which is made flat for convenience in attaching the ot to the cover6, by which it is suspended in ,the fire-box. The melting-cylinder issecured to the cover by bolts 10. The metal is placed in the largecylindrical interior 11, and is melted by means of gas flames, the gasbeingsupplied by a pair of pipes 12, 12, which enter the fire-boxth'roug 1 suitable openings, and extend, one on each side, the fulllength of the melting-cylinder. 'These gas pipes are erforated (notshown) at close intervals for e purpose of providing a number of gasjets, by which the flames are directed against the under side of themeltingpot. The interior of the melting-chamber is preferably lined withsome suitable refractory material, as 11, to prevent the molten metalfrom coming in contact with the-wallsof the 0t and injuring the same.The gas, as a ru e, is supplied to the melting-potunder considerable"pressure, in order to' produce the required heat.

' 13 re resents a filling passage formed in an upwan y projecting neckor ortion 14, preferably ormed inte rally wit the melting-pot, as bestseen in ig. 3. This assage is closed by means of a screw cap 16w ich, inorder to make a tight closure of the filling .opgning is screwed down uon a packing 15,

w ch preferably consists o asbestos or other heat resisting material.

17 represents a fluid ressure duct or p assa e formed in the raiseportion adjacent the filhng-neck, into which is inserted a pipe 18,through whlch air or other fluid pressure may be admitted to force themolten metal from melting-chamber 11 into themolds.

19 represents a molten metal discharge passage formed in an integralneck or s out 20,-cast on the rear end of the pot, W 'ch passes outthrough an opening 21 in the fireox, and -inclines upwardly andrearwardly to a height slightly above the top of the cavit of the pot 9.The spout 20 terminates ina orizontal nozzle 22 which is split, and theupper loose section 23 is connected to the stationa art by means of ahinge 24 (see Fig. 9). construction is provided for permittingjhe nozzleto be opened and cleaned, in ease the metal becomes cold and clegs uppassage 19.

he die su porting frame consists of four like metallic hare or rods 25,preferably made of steel or iron, and these rods, for convenience andeconomy in constructingand applying them, are preferably made square 1ncross-section; The guide-rods 25 are preferably disposed in a manner toform a hollow square extending horizontally from near the. middle of thetableto the rear end thereof, and these rods are held in such positionby means of a heavy metallic head lece- 26, and two spaced tail pleces27 and 28, t e rods being pose. Die section 29 is intended to be rigidlymounted on the rear side of head piece 26,

and is preferably held immovable during all the cas'tin operations. Diesection 30 is intended to it) rigidly secured to the front face of amovable late or block 31 by bolts or pins 32, and t e die plate isslidable within thedrame, vby means of a series of guides 33,.

which are formed near the inner corners of therods 25. The, guides 33are employed for the purpose of permitting plate 31 and die section 30to be operated reciprocally-in the frame in a truly horizontal manner.The

' frame thus described, is supported in its elevated position somedistance above the top of the table and concentric to the nozzle 22,

bymeans of a pair of angular brackets 34, which aresecured to the tableby bolts 35. The die frame is disposed upon the table directly above theslotted opening 4.

The mold by which a casting is made is sometimes formed in one, but as ageneral rule, the mold cavity is partly formed in each, of the diesections, asindicated by the numeral 36 (see Fig. 3). The-molten metalreaches the mold by means of a small 011, 37 formed in the die section29, anIFw iich is dis osed concentric to the nozzle 22.

11 order to carry out the workings of the present machine, the spout 20is necessarily a foot or more in length, -and in order to reach the diesections, the s out extends for some distance beyond the ire-box. thisarrangement it is difficult to maintain the required temperature in thedischarge passage 19, so as to )revent the metal-from ecoming chilled beore-it enters the mold,

Und e1" unless some independent heating means is provided for this part.I

i 39 represents a coiledigas pipe, which sip:-

rounds the discharge throat 20. Each coil of pi e 39 having a numberofperforations 40 rected against the spout 20, forthe purpose .tosubstantially the same temperature as the -meltingpot within thefire-box. A pipe 41 ormed on its inner circumference, through which gasis discharged, and then burned, the flames from the jets'b'eing di--supplies gas to the coil 39. The head piece 26 of the frame is providedwith a cavity 42 burner for-heating the nozzle, to prevent the coolingof the metal during the casting period. The nozzle heater 43 receivesits supformed concentric'tothe'nozzle 22, and with-- .inthiscavity' isplaced a coil of gas'pipe43, which surrounds the nozzle and isperforated the same as the coils 39, and forms a gas for the fire-box.

43, and also allows the burned use ply of gas from the coil 39 through asmall pipe 44. A vent is formed in the head piece 26 for supplying draftfor the burner gas to escape fromthe cavity 42. g 46 re resentsa'dischar e pipe for carrying oif the burned gas, as wel as providingdraft The working arts of my improved casting machine are a l operatedand controlled automatically by pressure, which in the pres:

ent device consists of compressed air, al-

though any other fluid pressure may be employed for operating all of themovable parts with the same results.

As heretofore explained the casting is done by means of air pressure,which enters the melting-chamber through the duct or passage- 17, andforces the molten metal out through the throat19 and nozzle 22, throughthe port 37 into the mold 36. As soon as the metal enters andfills themold, the next operation is the f gating of the casting. This is done bya reciprocating plunger 48, which passes through hole 49 formed in diesection 30, and is preferably disposed concentric to the port 37. Thegate 48 also passes through a hole in the die plate 31 (see Fig. 3).

To properly gate a casting after the mold is filled with molten metal,the plunger 48, is driven inwardly until it enters and closes the port37, which effects the confining of the molten metal in the mold. Thegate is then left in the last position until the metal hardens and thecasting is completed.

To operate the gate 48, I provide a small cylinder 50, having a piston(not-shown) common to cylinders of the class, to whichthe gate 48 isconnected and also serves as the piston-rod. Air pressure is suppliedtocylinder 50 for gating the casting through a pipe 51, and the pressureto release or withdraw gate 48, is supplied through a pipe 52. Diesection 30 and its supporting plate 31 are operated reciprocally in theframe, to open and close the mold, y means of a large cylinder 60, whichis mounted upon the tail pieces 27 and 28 and is held in place by bolts61. 1 Cylinder 60 is disposed concentric to the frame and mold the sameas gate 48. Cylinder 60 is provided with a piston 62, mounted on apiston-rod 63 which extends through the cylinder, in order to assist inguiding and holding the rod truly concentric to the other parts. One endof piston rod 63 is fitted with a for 64, having four prongs or arms 65,the extremities of the arms being secured to the vertical edges of. theguide block 31,- and by means of which the blockand die section 30 areoperated to open and close the mold, The gating cylinder 50 is mounts edbetween, and carried backward and'forwardat each opening and closing ofthe mold by the fork 64. Cylinder 50 is connect- .any

die section 30, to open the mold for the removing of .a casting, issupplied through a pipe 68, and enters the cylinder through a port 68(see Fig. 3).

' 69 represents a split ring or collar, hinged at one side and clampedon piston'rod 63 for shortening the backward stroke of the piston anddie section 30 during the casting period.

'After the die sections have been closed up by the operation of cylinder60', and before molten metal can be forced into the mold, a shield 70,preferably made of heavy sheet metal in the form shown in the draw-'ings, and which is disposed directly above the die sections, must firstbe lowered from its upper position shown in Figs. 1,. 3 and 4, to itslower position shown in Fig. 7. This shield is provided to preventinjury to the workmen which might result from the es-- cape of moltenmetal from between the die sections, or by the bursting'of the dischargespout 20, while'the heavypressure for casting is being applied. 7 Theshield 70 is suspended by means of a piston rod 71, whichis operwhichmay be supported from the ceiling of the shop or by any other suitablemeans.

'ated by. a piston (not shown) in a cylinder 72,

The piston rod 71 is operated downwardly by pressure supplied tocylinder 72 through a pipe 73, and it is operated for raising the shieldby pressure received through a pipe 74.

In order to render the machine safe, and to prevent accidentalapplication of the pressure to the melting-pot and the forcing of themetal into the mold when the dissections are open, I provide-a valve 75, preferably athree-port valve, which is disposed in the pipe 18 abovethe melting-pot. This valve is operated by a lever 76 which extendsupwardly underneath the shield 70, and its free end passes looselythrough a slot 71., formed in the lower end of piston rod 71. Thearrangement of lever. 76 is such, that when-the shield is raised to itshighest position, it closes valve 75 and prevents the pressure fromflowing from a supply pipe 77 into the pipe 18, and at the same timeopens a port 78 at the underside of the valve 75, for exhausting the airfrom the melting-pot, and this last provision is made to permit theunused meta remaining in spout 20 after the mold is filled, to gravitateback into chamber 11 followin each casting. o eration. .The full anddotte lines in Fig. 31 lustrate the disposition and operation of thelever 76. a I I To accomplish the automatic 0 eration of the severalparts of the apparatus ythe emair or other pressure, Iprovide a ployment0 common pressure retainer 80, which consists;

of a one-plart cylindrical casting, closed at with a gland-nut 98 whichis screweddown one end, t e posite end being fitted with'a on a packing99.. Each of the seven valves pressure supp y pipe 81, which may beconnected with an air pump or other source of pressure, The retainer 80is mounted on the table 2 by means of flanges 82 and 83 and held inplace by bolts 84. To effect the operation of the several cylinders anddirect the pressure to the melting-pot for'forcing the molten metal intothe mold, I employ seven separate, but like valves, each valve.consisting1 of a plunger 85, which is disposed vertica y in, and passes throughthe retainer 80.

Near the lower end of the plunger 85 isformed a cone valve 86, whichfits in' a corresponding seat 87 formed in the bottom of the retainer.

. 89 represents a series oi depending tubularextensions or valve casingsformed integrally on the underside of the retainer, one foreach of thevalves, and which are bored out to receive the lower ends 90 of theplungers or valve stenis 85. Immediately below the valve seat 87, thecasings 89 are counterbored, as at 91 to allow the free passage of thepressure from the retainer into the passage occupied by the stem 90.Below this counter-bored portion, the stem 90 is intended to fit thebore closely so as to prevent leakage. of the air past the stem, untilthe latter is raised upwardly far enough to brin the upper end of agroove or recess 92 formed in the side of the stem opposite thecavity,91. The groove 92 is made V-sha ed as shown in Fig. '5, with thenarrow oint isposed so that when the valve is first ifted the feed ofthepressure through the valve will be slight, and then as the raising ofthe valve is continued, the flow of air will increase accordingly as thegroove becomes wider. This provision is made to afford a gradualratherthan a sud den charging of the several cylinders, as 50, a 60 and 72.

The upper ehds of the seven valve plungers project some distance abovethe top side of the retainer, and to facilitate the constructing andassembling of the valves, a large circular threaded opemng 93 is formedin the top'wall of the retamer concentric to the valve seat 87. Thisopening is fitted with a threaded bushing 94 through which the plunger85 passes, and the bushing is counter-bored at its lower end toreceive apacking 95, prov-ided to prevent escape of the pressure around theplunger. The. acki in placeby' a rin 96 which ts in t e counterbore ofthe bus ing, and the ring is heldin place and the packingrompressed, bya spring 97, which surrounds-the valverod 85 and rests upon the. conevalve 86. The is ring is-also employed to assist the valve in c-lbsingand remainingseated, during the 1ntervals in which no pressure isrequired for operating the workinglparts of the machine.

The upper end of t e bushing 94 1s fitted 95 is held,

is provided with a hand-lever for use in operating the valvesindependently. For con-v venience in identif ing and also describing .70

' ignated by letters, as A, B, C, D, E, F and G,

and these letters are assigned in the order in which the several valvesare, to be operated during each complete cycle of casting opera-' tion.'Figs. 1 and 2 show the arrangement of the valves and their operatinghandles and Fig. 5 shows the construction of the valves. so

The upper ends of the valve plungers are slotted, at 100 to receive thehandle bars, which aresecured in place by pins 101. The innerendof eachhandle is nected by a The seven valves and their fittings including theoperating levers are 7 structed and arranged exact y alike, exce t thecasting-valve controlled by lever C, t 1e stem of which is provided witha large-groove 92, so as to permit a heavy charge of the pres,- sure topass to the melting-pot at the mltlal movement of the valve.

I The molten metaleing heavy, and it be? mg necessary to fill t e moldulckly as ossible, to prevent the chilling o the meta be fore the moldis completely filled, it is 1mportant' that the ressure for castingbeapplied strongly an rather suddenly. Flg. 6

shows the size of the roove 92 for the casting valve C, as compared withthe like part providedfor the othervalves, as shown 1n 5.

In the operation of the resent machine,

it is essent al that certain of the parts after being operatedautomatically by theprcssure, be held-for a time in'the position towhich-they were set or forced by the appli cation of the ,air. For thisur ose certain ofthe Q rating-levers as A, i Provide with stop levers104, which are. pivoted at their upper ends to the said levers, as at105, the lower ends of the stops disposed so that when the levers areraised to the position shown by dotted linesin Fig. 4,

to open the valves, the lower. ends of the stops swing inwardly andcatch upon a ledge' or shelf 106 and thus prevent the closing of thevalves, and the shutting off of-the pressure, in-ca'se the o erator letsgo'the handles l Eben it is time to shut ofi the pressure, the operatormay disengage ahead of time.

the stops 1 04,- and allow the handles and valves to ravltate to closedposition, as

shown by't e full lines in Fi s. 1, 4 and 5. 1

The several pipes employed or conducting the pressure from-the retainerto the cylinders and melting-pot are connected to their respectivevalves by means of gland-nuts 107. The pipes 5l and 52. which supplypivotally conn- 1 03 to a bracket 102, the 8 5 latter prefera ly castwith the retainer 80.

referably conand G are. 110

been mounted in place upon head piece 26,,

stood that suitable means may be employed for exhausting the pressurefrom the several cylinders, after each charging, though none such areshown herein.

The operation of my casting apparatus is as follows: Assuming that diesection 29 has and die section 30 has been mounted upon the guide block31, the operator will first raise the valve lever A to the positionshown by dotted lines, Fig. 4, until the stop 104 catches upon the ledge106. lever A opens the corresponding valve and YtClIIlltS the pressureto pipe 66, which conducts the air to the rear end of cylinder 60, anddrives piston 62 in the direction to close up the die sections 29 and 30ready for eastng, and stop 104 serves to hold the pressure in saidcylinder to prevent the separation of the die sections when the metal isforced into the mold. For the second step in the operation, the operatorwill lift the handle B, and send the pressure through pipe 73 into.cylinder 72, for the lowering offth'e canopy or shield 70 from its upperposition shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, to its-lower position shown in Fig.7. The lowering of the shield, carries with it the lever 76, whichopensvalve 75, to permit the passage of the pressure from pipe 77intopipe 18, thence into the melting pot 9. The valve lever B beingprovided with a stop 104, the latter will hold the valve B open, andprevent the accidental lifting of the shield. The operator will nextraise lever C, to open the valve which supplies the pressure to themelting-pot, for forcing the molten metal from the ot through dischargepassage 19 into the mo d 36. It is intended that a high pressure beemployed for operating the I resent machine, andthat the mold should '11instantly the valve C is opened.

- pressure into the rear end of cylinder 50, and

The operator will then close valve C, thus confining the pressure in themelting-pot,,

which will hold the metal from gravitating away-from the mold The 0-erator should then quickly raise the lever and send the I drive the gate48 inwardly through die sections 29 and 30, and also mold cavity 36,until it reaches and closes port 37, which extends between the nozzle 22and the mold..

Valve D may then be allowed to close. For the next stepthe operator willlift lever E, to send the pressure through ipe 74 into cylinder 7,2, forlifting the shiel to its upper positionf'and'at the same time operatingvalve 75, to 'closethe same against the flow of pressure from theretainer. The last operation of valve 75 opens port -78 in said valve,to

exhaust the pressure confined in the melting- The lifting of pot, so asto allow the molten metal which ad been held in the discharge passage19, to gravitate back into the melting-pot. The valve lever E by meansof its stop 104, will be held in the open position, to prevent thelowering of the shield until the machine is made ready for a subsequentcasting. The sixth step consists of raising lever F, for supplyingpressure through pipe 52, to theforward end of cylinder 50 forwithdrawing the gate 48. The final step in the cycle of operationsconsists of releasing the stop of lever A and then raising the lever G,for supplying pressure to the forward end of cylinder 60, to reverse thepiston 62, for opening or spreading die sections29 and 30. By this lastoperation the arms 65 of fork 64 move the die plate 31, and with it thedie section 30, to the right, away fromsection 29, a suflicient distanceto permit the removal of the casting from the mold. Valve G will then beheld in open position by its stop 104 forthe purpose of preventing theaccidental closing up of the die sections while the casting is beingremoved Any of the well known ejecting means may be employed forreleasing the casting. After the casting has been re-' moved and themold cavity cleaned out, the machine is ready for the next cycle ofopera tions, the initial step of which consists of releasing the stop ofvalve G and closing the same, and then opening valve A, to agaln closeup the die sections, after which the other steps or o erations alreadydescribed may be repeate in regular order for each casting. p

It is obvious that many other forms and arrangements of valves ma beemployed for directing the pressure to t e several parts of the machineand produce the same results, the essential and important features ofthe device consistin of the use of a fluid pressure for filling themolds, and for operating the dies, the gate and the shield.

Under the construction, arrangement and" 110 operation of my improvedcasting apparatus,-

as herein shown anddescribed, it is possible to make'perfect finishedcastings more,

Patent, is I 1. The combination of a melting-pot and a sectional mold,the said melting-pot having a fluid pressure inlet, and a molten metaloutlet, terminating in a split nozzle, the said inlet connecting with apressure. p1pe, the said pressure pipe having an automatic valve forcontrolling the flow of pressure tOafiDd from said melting-pot, the saidpressure pipe connecting with a retainer by means of a hand controlledvalve, .the said mold sections opened and closed by a double headedfluid pressure cylinderythe said cylinder receiving pressure oroperating its piston rec1procally through a pair of independent pipesconnected by means of independent handcontrolled valves with saidretainer, one of 7 said mold sections carrying a gate-plunger,

and the piston-rod of said cylinder carrying a fluid pressure cylinderfor operating said gate-plunger, the last named, cylinder con-.

necting with said retainer by means of a pair of pipes and a pair ofindependentvalves.

' 2. The combination of a melting-pot having a fluid-pressure inlet anda molten metal discharge throat terminating in a split nozzle, and asectional mold connecting with said pipe, one of said mold sectionsmovabletoward and .from the other section by the piston-rod of a fluidpressure cylinder, the piston-rod of said cylinder supporting a secondcylinder adapted to operate a gateplunger carried by said movable moldsection, each of said cylinders connected with said retainer by means ofa pair of; independent supply pipes and a pair of independent va ves,and a fluid pressure operatedshield adapted to conceal the mold sectionsduring the casting period and also to control the operation of saidthree-way valve.

3. The combination with a fire-box and a melting-pot, the said pothaving a fluid pressure inlet passage and a molten metal discharge1passage, of a sectional mold connect ing wit said discharge passage, ahorizontal frame to support said mold, fluid pressure actuated means foropening and closing the mold sections, a fluid pressure actuated plungerto gate a casting formed in said mold, a fluid pressure actuated shieldadapted when set 1n one position to inclose the mold sections andppfrmitthe forming of a casting, and when s ted from said position topermit the 'remov'al'of the casting-and at the same time prevent? the,discharge of molten metalfrom said melting pot, a fluid plunger, a pairpressure retainer, a pair of valves in said retainer adapted to controlthe flow of pres-- sure from said retainer to said mold operating means,a pair of valves in said retainer a apted to control. the flowof-pressure from said retainer for reciprocally operating, said 0 valvesin said retainer adapted to control the flow of ressu're for raising andlowering said shie d, :aasingle valve in said retainer to control theflow .of

pressure from, the retainer to said meltingpot, a hand-lever foroperatin each of sald valves, and means for gradua y increasing the flowof pressure through each of said valves during the opening movementthereof.

4. The combination with a fire-box and a melting-pot, the said pothaving a fluid-pressure inlet passage and a molten metal dischargepassage, of a sectional mold connecting with saiddischarge passage, ahorizontal frame to support said mold, fluid-pressure actuated meansforopening and closing the mold sections, a fluidpressure actuated plungerto gate a casting formed in said mold, a fluid-pressure actuated shieldadapted when set in one position to inclose the mold' sectionsand permitthe forming of a casting, and when shifted from said position to permitthe removal of the casting and-at-the same time prevent the discharge ofmolten metal from said melting-pot through the discharge passage,a'common fluid-pressure re-.

tainer, for suppl ing pressure to operate the mold sections, t e gateplunger, the shield, and also to force the molten metal into the mold, aseries of independent valves to control the flow of pressure from saidretainer to all of said parts, and a hand-lever for operat ing each ofsaid valves.

5.- The combination witha fire-box and a melting-pot, the said pothaving a fluid-pressure inlet passage and a molten metaldischargepassage, of a sectional mold connect ing with said discharge passage, ahorizontal frame to supportsaid mold, fluid pressure actuated means foropening and closing the mold sections, a fluid-pressure actuated plungerto gate a casting formed in said mold, a fluid-pressure actuated shieldadapted When-set in one position to inclose the -mold sections and'plrla frtmit the forming of a casting, and when ed from said positionto permit the removal of the casting and at the same time prevent thedischarge of molten metal through the discharge passage, a

common fluid-pressure retainer, for supplying pressure to operate themold sections, thegate'plu'nger, the shield, and also to force the*molten metal into the mold, a series of independent valves to controlthe flow of pressure from said retainer to all of said parts, ahandlever for operating each of said valves, and

a series 'of stops for holding certain of said valves in open position,to'prevent the accidental shifting of the parts controlled by saidvalves. or

' 6. An automatic casting apparatus, comprising a fire-box, amelting-pot in said firebox having a pressure inlet port, means forheating said melting-pot, a molten metal discharge'spout fonsaidmelting-pot, 'anozzle formed on one end of said spout, means for heatingsaid discharge spout and said nozzle,

a two-part mold connecting with said nozzle,

'a horizontal frame to support said mold,

fluid ressureactuated means for open ng and .c osing mold parts,-a fluidpressure i adapted when set in one position to inclose of moltenmetalfrom said melting-pot, a

actuated plunger to gate a casting formed in said mold, a'fluid pressureactuated shield the mold sections and permit the forming of a casting,and when shifted from said position to permit the removal of'the'casting, and at the same time prevent the discharge common fluidpressure retainer, for supplylngpressure tooperate the mold sections,the gate plunger, the shield, and also to force the molten metal intothe mold, and a series of independent valves to control the flow ofpressure from said retainer to all of said parts.

7. A casting machine comprising a fireboX, a melting-pot in saidfire-box, having a pressure inlet and a molten metal discharge spoutterminating in a nozzle, means for heating said melting-pot, means forheating the discharge spout and nozzle, a retainer for fluid pressure, aplurality of independent pressure-control-valves connected to saidretainer, apipe to conduct pressure from the retainer to the melting-potthrough one of said valves, a valve in'said pipe capable of beingoperated independent of said first valve, adapted to permit or preventthe passage of pressure from said pipe to the melt ing-pot, a lever foroperating said second valve, a die frame, a pair of dies supported bysaid frame, a mold cavity in said dies con- -necting with the nozzle ofsaid discharge spout, a' shield to conceal said dies and said dischargespout while the mold is being filled with molten metal, means forconnecting the lever of said second valve with said spout terminating ina nozzle, means for heating'said melting-pot, means for heating thedischarge spout and nozzle, a retainer for fluid pressure, a pluralityof pressure-control-valves connected to said retainer, each valve havinga hand-lever, a pipe to conduct pressure from the retainer to themelting-pot through one of said valves, a valve in said pipe adapted tobe operated independent of said first valve, adapted to permit orprevent the passageof ressure from saidpipe to-the melting-pot, a everfor operating said'second valve, a die frame, a pair of dies supportedby said frame, a mold cavity in said dies connecting with the nozzle ofvsaid discharge spout, a shield to conceal said dies andsaid dischargespout while the mold is being filled with molten metal, means forconnecting the lever of said second valve with said shield,

whereby said valve 7 may be opened and closed by the lowering andraising of said shield, a fluid'pressure cylinder for, raising andlowering said shield, a pair of pipes for conducting pressure from theretainer to said cylinder, each of said ipes connecting with one of saidcontrol va ves, and a stop-lever for maintaining the pressure in saidpipes and said cylinder.

9. A casting apparatus, comprising a melting-pot having a dischargespout and a pressure inlet, .a pressure retainer, a pipe connecting saidretainer with the melting-pot, a valve interposed between said pipe andthe retainer, a hand-lever to operate said valve,

a three-way valve disposed in said pipe adapted to permit or prevent theflow of pressure from the retainer to the melting-pot when said firstvalve is open, and for-exhausting the pressure from said pot, a lever tooperate said three-way valve, a vertically movable shield to temporarilycover the cylinder for reciprocally operating said shield, a valveinterposed between each of said pipes and said retainer, hand-levers foroperating said valves,a die connecting wit-h the discharge spout of saidmelting-pot, a

frame to supply said die, a mold formed in 7 said die adapted to befilled with molten metal when the pressure is applied to saidmelting-pot, a fluid pressure actuated plunger carried by said dieadapted for gating a casting after the mold is filled, pipes to supplypressure for operating said plunger, and a valve for controlling theflow of pressure from said retainer to each of said pipes.

10. A casting apparatus, comprising a firebox, a melting-pot in saidfire-box, having a pressure inlet and a molten metal discharge spout, apair of die sections, a mold in said die sections communicating with thedis.-

charge spout, a frame to support said (lie sections, a fluid pressureactuatedcylindermounted in said frame, for opening and closing said diesections, pipes to supply pressure to said cylinder to actuate'the same,a gate operatively connected to said die sections, a fluid pressureactuated cylinder to operate said gate reciprocally, pipes to supplyressure tosaid cylinder, a shield disposed a ove said die sections,a-fluid pressure actuated cylinder to raise and lower said shieldtoexpose or conceal-saiddie sections, pi es to supply pressure foractuating said cy inder, a pipe to supply ressure'to said melting-pot, athree-way va ve in said pipefs'aid valve adapted to permit or preventthe flow of pressureto said melting-pot and to-exhaust the pressure fromsaid pot, a levento' operate said three-wavvalve, said lever connectedtions, and a separate lever to open and close each valve.

1 1. An automatic casting apparatus comprising a melting-pot having aort to admit pressure to force molten metal roin said pot,

and having a discharge spout to conduct the metal to a mold, a source ofpressure, a retainer for said pressure, a plurality of valvesoperatively disposed in said retainer, adapted to be operatedsequentially in the order of the casting operations, a mold formed in apan of die sections, a frame to support said sections, a nozzle formedon the outer end of. the discharge spout of the melting-pot,

ten

adaptedfor filling'the mold with mo metal when the pressure is appliedto said melting-pot, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted .on said frameadapted to open and close said diesections, a gate operatively disposedin said die sections concentric to the mold and the nozzle, afluid-pressure cylinder to operate said gateimmedi'ately after the moldis filled, the said gate-cylinder su ported in operative position by andmovab e with the piston-rod of said first named cylinder, a shield toinclose the diesduring the casting period, a fluid pressure cylinder tooperate said shield, a pipe for conducting pressure from said retainerto the melting-pot, a

three-p0rt valve disposed in said pipe adapted to admit or prevent thepassage of the pressure from the retainer to the meltingpot and also toexhaust the pressure from the said pot, a lever to operate said valve,the said lever connected to and operated by said shield, and a pair'ofpipes to conduct the pressure from said retainer to each of saidcylinders, each of said pipes connected to and controlled by one of saidretainer valves. I

12. A casting a paratus, comprising a melting-pot inclose in a fire-box,and having a pressure inlet and a molten'metal discharge spout, a nozzleformed on one end of said s out,'a pair of die sections, a mold'in saiddie sections communicating with said'nozzle by means of a port, a plateto support-one of said die sections, a frame to support said diesections and saidplate, a series of guides to permit thereciprocalmovement of said plate within said fra'me,'a ressure actuatedcylindercarriedby said ame, a piston and piston-rod for said cylinder,the said piston-rodconnected to said plate and adapted to operate thesamejon said guides for opening and to heat Isaid spout, a nozz e havinga hinged sectiomformclosing said mold, a fluid pressure retainer, '9.plpe to conduct pressure from said retamer to. said melting-pot, a valveinterposed bepressure to said cylinder, a valve interposed etween eachof said pipes, and said retainer, levers to operate said valves, thesaid levers provided with stops to hold the valves in open position, avalve disposed in the pipe leading to the melting-pot, and a lever tooperate said valve, said lever connected with and operable by theraisiiig and lowering of said shield, for preventing or ermitting theflow of pressure into the me ting-pot after said first named valve isopened.

13. An automatic casting machine, comprising a fire-box, a table tosupport said .flre-box, a meltingot in said fire-box, the

said pot having auid pressure inlet and a molten metal-discharge spout,a gas burner ot, a like burner to heat said ing the outer extremity ofsaid spout, a die supporting frame mounted on said table, having ahollow head piece to receive the said nozzle, a heater for said nozzledisposed in said head piece, a pair of die sections, one of saidsections secured to said head piece, the other section mounted on aplate slidable in said frame by means of a series of guides, a mold insaid die sections, a port to connect said mold with said nozzle, a fluidpressurecylindermounted in said frame, a piston rod operativelyconnected to said cylinder and connected tosa-id plate by means of afork formed on one end thereof, adapted to reciprocally operate saidplate and one of said dissections, a fluid pressure cylinder carried bysaid piston rod, a piston rod for said second cylinder, the said rodprojecting from said cylinder and forming a gate-plunger, the free. endof said plunger ada ted to be driven through said plate and t rough bothof'sai'd die sections by the first charging of said cylinder, for thepurpose of gating a casting formed in said mold, a air of ipes to supplyressure for operating 0th 0 said piston ro s reciprocally, a pipe tosupply pressure to the melting- 0t to force the molten metal into themod, a retainer for fluid pressure mounted on said table, a series ofvalves disposedin said retainer, each valve connecting with one of saidsupply pipes, and adapted to be operated separately to draw pressurefrom said retainer and. direct the same through said pipes, at

' tions, a fluid ressure cy 'nderto raise and lower sald shie d, a valveto adnnt, or exclude hand-lever .for operating each valve, and a I pot,and an operating-lever for each of said 45 stop pivoted to certain ofsaid levers, adapt-- ed to hold the corresponding valves in openposition during the intervals of making and removing a casting.

14. A casting apparatus, comprising a firebox mounted upon a table, amelting-pot suspended in the 1irebox,the said meltingpot having a fluidpressure inlet and a tubu ar discharge outlet, the said discharge outletterminating in a nozzle, a gas pipe for heating said melting-pot, a gaspipe'for heating the discharge outlet, a gas pipe'for heating thenozzle, a pair of dies having a mold formed partly in each, a framedisposed horizontally mounted on the table to operatively support thesaid dies, a fluid-pressure cylinder carried by said frame for operatingone of said dies toward or away from the other die,

a piston-rod for said cylinder, a plunger for gating a castingoperatively connected to one of the said dies, a fluid-pressure cylindersupported by the said piston-rod for operating the said plungerreciprocally, a shield to inclose the sald dies durin the castingoperafluid pressure from the melting-pot, alever to operate said valve,the said operatively connected to said shield, where? by when the shieldis raised the said valve is closed against the pressure employed forcasting and opened to exhaust the ressure confined in the melting-pot,and w en the shield is lowered the said valve is opened to admit thepressure for forcing the molten metal into the mold, a source of fluidpressure, a retainer to receive said pressure, a series of independentvalves carried by said retainer adapted 'to withdraw a portion of thepressure and direct the same to said cylinders and also to saidmelting-pot, a series of pipes to conduct the pressure from said valvesto said cylinders and to the meltingever being valves, the said leversadapted to be operated sequentlally 1n the order of the castingoperations.

15. In a casting apparatus, the combination with a table and a fire-boxmounted thereon, of a melting-pot disposed in the firebox, a fluidressure inlet for admitting pressure to and or exhausting the same fromsaid melting-pot, a molten metal discharge spout formed integrally withsaid melting- 0t and projecting through an o ening in t e fireox, anozzle formed on t e outer end of the, said spout, a coiled pipe heaterfor said spout, a coiled pipe heater for said nozzle, a pair of diesections having a mold formed in their abutting sides, a ort to connectthe mold with said nozzle, a orizontal frame mounted on the table forsupporting said die sections, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by saidframe, a piston in said'cylinder, a piston-rod operated b said piston,the said piston-rod connected y means of a fork to one of said diesections, and capable of moving said die section reciprocally foropening and closing the mold, a retainer mounted on the table adapted toreceive pressure from a pum or other source, a series of independent vaves carried by said retainer, two of'said valves adaptedto supplpressure for operating said piston reci rocal one of said valves adaptedto supp y ressure to said meltin ot to force the mo ten metal into themo and means operable independent of said last named valve forpermitting or preventing" the passage of the pressure into saidmeltingpot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, ELBERT B VAN WAGNER. Witnesses: I HARRY DE WALLACE, ROBERT L. WALLAon.

